Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been without Cristian Romero for parts of the current season and risks getting on the defender’s bad side this summer.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has risked Cristian Romero‘s wrath by indicating that the club could prevent the centre-back from competing in the 2024 Olympics.
Romero, 25, informed Argentina Under-23s manager Javier Mascherano that he would be available to play in Paris if called upon. Each competing nation is allowed to include three players beyond the age of 23 in their team, with Mascherano himself one of those utilized in an overage spot in 2008.
The problem for Argentina and their rivals is that the tournament takes place outside of the regular FIFA window for international games. This means that clubs are not obligated to release their players, but many do, like Alexis Mac Allister, while at Brighton, was part of the Albiceleste squad for the Tokyo games.
Kylian Mbappe‘s determination to compete in his home Olympic Games risks upsetting his new club Real Madrid. And the French forward isn’t the only one, as Postecoglou clarified his viewpoint in response to Romero’s request.
“I want to participate in the Olympic Games,” Romero told TyC Sports (via talkSPORT). “I never got the opportunity to be there. Anything for the national team, I obviously want to be there. If Mascherano wishes to take me, I am available.”
However, Postecoglou has stated that the Olympics are “a little bit of a different issue” than the next Copa America. Romero was a member of Argentina‘s team for the March international break and is vying for a spot in the continental championship in June.
“Certainly from our behalf as a club, we’ll always be looking at making sure there is a balance there,” the club’s president stated. “He hasn’t spoken to me about it, no one has spoken to me about it but I guess pretty strong advice would be with the Copa America at the same time and hopefully us gearing up for a big season next year, I’d be suggesting rest is a better policy.”
While a final decision on Romero has still to be made, worries persist over hosts France. Thierry Henry, who was recently named as Under-21 manager, will take charge of the squad, but he must first determine whether Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann will be available as overage players.
“I have always had the same ambition,” Mbappe stated of his plans. “I’ve always stated I wanted to go to the Olympics, but it’s not my decision.
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